Senior water and wastewater engineers help communities and organizations plan, design, and improve the systems that deliver clean water and safely manage wastewater. These experienced professionals lead technical work across treatment plants, pipelines, pump stations, and other critical infrastructure. Explore vetted senior engineering opportunities on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.
Responsibilities vary by employer and project, but senior engineers commonly evaluate existing systems, develop engineering plans, prepare technical reports, and guide projects from early studies through construction. They may oversee process, civil, or hydraulic design; review calculations and drawings; coordinate permitting; and support construction administration and commissioning. Many roles also involve mentoring engineers and working closely with clients, utilities, contractors, and regulators.
Employers typically seek a degree in civil, environmental, or a related engineering field, along with substantial experience in water or wastewater projects. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is often preferred or required, particularly for roles that involve approving engineering work. Valuable qualifications include knowledge of treatment processes, hydraulic modeling, design standards, regulatory requirements, project management, and technical communication.
Senior water/wastewater engineers work for engineering consultancies, water utilities, public agencies, and infrastructure organizations. Depending on the employer, they may specialize in drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, collection and distribution systems, reuse, stormwater, or resilient infrastructure. Experienced engineers can advance into principal engineer, technical director, department manager, or project executive positions.
Search Ladders for senior water and wastewater engineering roles that match your expertise, location, and career goals. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced engineers explore their next career move.
Project Manager (Water/Wastewater Engineering)
$109K - $145K *
Lead the charge in managing and designing water/wastewater projects, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction while mentoring junior staff and supporting business development initiatives...
1 week ago
Environmental Engineer/Scientist (Stormwater)
$80K - $95K *
Play a key role in delivering environmental compliance solutions for industrial, municipal, and construction clients, focusing on stormwater management and regulatory adherence while managing multiple...
2 weeks ago
Principal Consultant (Water/Wastewater Engineering)
$165K - $191K *
Unlock potential by leading complex water/wastewater projects, mentoring engineers, and ensuring compliance. Drive client relationships and project success while managing multidisciplinary teams in a...
1 month ago
Water & Wastewater Engineering Designer
$92K - $110K *
Transform critical infrastructure by designing water and wastewater systems. Collaborate with engineers to create detailed plans and ensure project success while positively impacting community resourc...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of natural resource management by leading diverse projects, conducting wetland assessments, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. Elevate your career while managing client...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by managing diverse Natural Resources projects, performing wetland assessments, and leading client interactions. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team while ensuring complianc...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Engineering Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Empower a multi-discipline engineering team to deliver innovative solutions for complex water and wastewater projects. Manage budgets, schedules, and client relations while ensuring top-quality techni...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Remediation / Sediment Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Champion innovative sediment remediation solutions while leading projects across the Midwest. Leverage your expertise to meet regulatory standards and deliver exceptional value to clients, mentoring t...
1 week ago
Senior Remediation / Sediment Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive your career with a leading role in sediment remediation projects, providing engineering expertise and strategic solutions while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring compliance with regulatory...
1 week ago
Water / Wastewater Project Engineer
$90K - $110K *
Lead the design and management of municipal water/wastewater projects, ensuring high-quality delivery and client satisfaction. Collaborate with teams to innovate solutions while promoting safety and e...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Process Engineer (Water/Wastewater)
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water treatment facilities through innovative mechanical processes; lead design projects, mentor engineers, and ensure high-quality deliverables for complex sy...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$125K - $195K *
Join a team that's leading innovative groundwater infrastructure projects. Leverage your hydrogeology expertise to manage complex initiatives, mentor staff, and build client relationships while drivin...
1 week ago
Project Engineer | Water & Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by leading complex water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with clients and mentor junior engineers while ensuring quality and compliance. Join a dynamic team committed to impac...
2 weeks ago
$117K - $176K *
Join us in leading the design of advanced plumbing systems for diverse building projects. You will ensure compliance with codes while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and mentoring junior st...
Reposted yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in delivering complex plumbing projects, providing technical expertise and quality oversight while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful project execution and...
Yesterday
Senior Municipal Engineer, Utilities
$107K - $150K *
Advance your career by leading the design and construction of wet utilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage projects, and ensure compliance with industry standards while mentoring ju...
2 weeks ago
Senior Municipal Engineer, Utilities
$107K - $150K *
Elevate your career as a Senior Municipal Engineer, leading the design and construction of wet utilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring compliance and quality while managing proje...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager (Water/Wastewater)
$90K - $110K *
Transform your career by leading impactful water and wastewater projects. Manage all phases from planning to construction, while mentoring teams and fostering client relationships. Drive innovation in...
4 weeks ago
Staff Electrical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Reimagine infrastructure by leading electrical design for water/wastewater projects. You'll provide technical guidance, enhance client relationships, and drive business development initiatives, ensuri...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Stormwater Transportation Engineer
$126K - $161K *
Lead the charge in innovative stormwater engineering projects, managing a team to design and implement drainage solutions for diverse transportation infrastructure across the southeast, while fosterin...
3 weeks ago
Environmental Engineer 3 - Drinking Water or Wastewater
$78K - $129K *
Take ownership of impactful water infrastructure projects, collaborating with a dynamic team to design and deliver solutions for communities. Enhance your technical expertise and project leadership sk...
3 weeks ago
Project Engineering Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Engineer impactful solutions by leading multi-discipline teams on large-scale water and wastewater projects. Oversee engineering deliverables, manage client relations, and drive team performance to de...
Reposted 1 week ago
Project Engineer - Water & Wastewater
$85K - $125K *
Deliver innovative engineering solutions for water and wastewater projects, managing multiple assignments while ensuring quality, budget, and schedule adherence. Collaborate with diverse teams and men...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager (Municipal Water)
$107K - $151K *
Lead transformative water and wastewater projects, driving innovative solutions and mentoring talent while enhancing client partnerships and advancing your career in sustainable engineering...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager (Municipal Water)
$107K - $151K *
Join a team that's shaping resilient communities by leading impactful water and wastewater projects. Utilize your expertise to drive innovative solutions, mentor talent, and strengthen client partners...
4 weeks ago
What does a senior water/wastewater engineer do?
A senior water/wastewater engineer plans and leads engineering work for water and wastewater infrastructure. Duties may include treatment process and pipeline design, hydraulic analysis, technical reviews, permitting support, project management, and mentoring engineering teams.
What qualifications are typically required for senior water/wastewater engineer jobs?
Employers commonly require a bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or a related engineering discipline and significant relevant project experience. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is frequently preferred or required, depending on the position and jurisdiction.
Where do senior water/wastewater engineers work?
They work for engineering consulting firms, water and wastewater utilities, government agencies, and infrastructure companies. Projects can involve treatment facilities, pipelines, pump stations, water reuse, stormwater, and system upgrades.
Do senior water/wastewater engineers need a PE license?
Many senior roles prefer or require a PE license, especially when the engineer is responsible for approving or sealing designs. Requirements vary by employer, project responsibilities, and state or local regulations.
What is the salary for a senior water/wastewater engineer?
Pay varies based on location, experience, licensure, employer, and project scope. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying senior water and wastewater engineering opportunities.